It is not often that we get such a detailed report from the ground when our filters are put to use. Mark Fernandez, who used to be one of our volunteers, took a trip to Sri Lanka earlier this year. Little did he know what an adventure it would turn out to be. Mark’s story also highlights that giving back can be life affirming.
Mark said, “During the 12 months I volunteered for Aquabox, I was always impressed when I saw the pump working. It was only when I saw the filter being used to supply actual fresh water to people who did not take this as a given, that I saw the TRUE value of the pump.”
In early January 2026 Mark and his wife Nicola decided to visit Sri Lanka and combine a holiday with a seven-day school charity visit, something they had never done before. A friend of Mark’s, who owns a travel company focused on Sri Lanka (Discover Sri Lanka), had in the past spent time and money assisting schools in Sri Lanka. Mark and Nicola knew their help might involve painting some of the school and whatever else was needed. However, it was only when they reached the school, that they appreciated the issues the school had around clean drinking water.
To make a donation to Aquabox for the filters and pay for any materials required once at the school, the local community in Hognaston, including friends and family members raised a fantastic £2237.20.
Aquabox gave Mark 12 filters to take because he thought Cyclone Ditwah, that blew through in December of 2025, had caused major problems at the school. As it happened this was not the case. Also, due to import/export regulations they only had space to take three filters as part of their personal baggage but Mark and Nicola were so glad they took the filters.
Thannayaya Primary School, Badalkumbura in Southern Sri Lanka was located in a poor rural farming area. The school catered for 43 pupils aged between 5 and 10, with 5 teachers and a Principle.
When on site and they could see the problems first hand, Mark noticed that there was adequate plumbing/taps etc in place but no water. The school had a well, connected to the local river. The site also had 500 litres of water storage spread across two storage tanks. However, the reason for no water was that the school’s water pump had been stolen 3 months prior, indeed this had happened 3 times already. Hence teachers each day had to walk the 200 metres to the river to collect water in buckets to flush the toilets. In summer temperatures can reach 40 degrees Celsius, keeping the children hydrated is essential.
Drinking water for the pupils was either brought in personally from home or, in the worst-case scenario, they had to drink the river water.
Over the next few days, they purchased a pump that could be easily attached and removed each day, to remove the treat of theft and replumbed the water pipes and electrical connections to allow the water to flow once more. They also purchased an additional 250 litre water storage tank and a 30 litre metal container to place the Aquabox filter in so that clean water could be filtered.
The parents of the pupils provided free labour to rewire, replumb, dig the trenches and attach the pump.
Now what happens is that every Monday morning the pump is attached to the pipes, the three storage tanks are filled, the pump is disconnected and then stored in a parent’s house for the following week. Every morning the children then take it in turns, using the Aquabox filter, to fill 5 litre water containers with water that is then available during the day for the children and teachers.
Mark and Nicola demonstrated the filters several times to the children and teachers. One teacher also took a series of detailed videos on her phone on how to use the pump and how to clean it at the end of each day so it will give many years’ service.
Mark and Nicola said, “To see young children gaining access to clean drinking water, the whole concept of the Aquabox filter just comes alive. It was certainly an emotional and heart wrenching moment.”
Aquabox volunteers were delighted to read this good news story and especially the thank you picture from the pupils at Thannayaya Primary School, “to see their smiles makes what we do so rewarding” said members of the production team.